Tag Archives: Deputy Shane Hanson

As someone who often patrols the sylvan environs of
North Kitsap, Deputy Shane Hanson’s had his share of run-ins with
wild animals.

But what his patrol cruiser’s headlights illuminated in the wee
hours last Monday, no one could prepare for.

A black and gray tabby cat was wandering helplessly in the
middle of Port Gamble Road, with something on her head. Hanson got
out to take a closer look. He found the feline’s head was
completely lodged in a can of tuna, blinding her and keeping her
mouth forced open.

He informed dispatchers he was going to check on the cat. Kept
his words simple at first, so as to not raise eyebrows with his
fellow deputies to start with. The cat could escape and his story
might then be seen as far-fetched.

“No one’s gonna believe this,” he said he thought.

The first attempt to help the cat did not go well for the
six-year sheriff’s deputy, who spent the first 11 years of his
career as an officer on Bainbridge. When he got close, the cat
lashed out, tearing her claws into Hanson’s ring finger and
palm.

Undeterred, Hanson regrouped and, a member of the county’s SWAT
team, he grabbed his department-issued SWAT jacket as defense from
kitty’s claws.

The cat ran off several times. Hanson said he worried if anyone
should see him, images of keystone cops would fill their heads.

The cat went into a yard and surrendered. Hanson bundled the cat
up. He asked some residents if they’d lost an animal; they said
no.

Off he went to Animal Emergency and Trauma Center in Poulsbo,
whose veterinarians went to work to help the cat. (Hanson’s own
hand injury, meanwhile, was further remedied with a Tetanus shot to
be on the safe side.)

The vets’ surgery was successful in removing the can. I’m told
that even a can opener was used to help in the extraction.

Kitsap County Animal Control Officer Tyrus Edwards picked the
cat — believed to be female — up from the center and took her to
the Kitsap Humane Society.

Aside from the trauma, the cat has recovered.

Hanson, for his part, said he’s always liked animals — he’s more
of a dog person, he admits — and hates the thought of them
suffering. He said he was happy to help the animal and was pleased
to hear she’s doing better.

Rob Drought, the humane society’s feline coordinator, said she’s
semi-feral, though and hopes she’ll go soon to a foster home to
recuperate. Because she’s only around a year old, there’s a
reasonable chance she could one day go home with a family.

“I have a funny feeling we may be able to rehabilitate this
girl,” Drought said.